Matthew12
English Standard Version
1 the on the . were , they to to .
2 when the it, they to , , are doing is to the .
3 to , Have you was , who were with :
4 he of the of the , it for to nor those were with , for the ?
5 have you the on the the the the ?
6 , something than the .
7 you had this , I , , have the .
8 the of of the .
9 on from and .
10 a there a . they , Is to on the ? — so they might .
11 to , a , a on the , will of it out?
12 how more is a than a ! it is to on the .
13 he to the , Stretch . the man , it was , the .
14 the and , to .
15 , of this, from . , he
16 to .
17 was to was the :
18 , I have , is . I will , he will to the .
19He will , will the ;
20a he will , a he will , he ;
21 the will .
22 a man who was was to , he , that the .
23 the were , , be the of ?
24 when the it, they , It is , the of , that man casts .
25 , to , is , will .
26 casts , he is . will ?
27 I , do ? will .
28 it the of that I , the of has .
29 , he the man? he may .
30Whoever , whoever does .
31 I , will be , the against the will be .
32 a the of will be , the will be , the age to .
33 the , the , the is its .
34You of ! you , when you ? out the of the the .
35The out his , the out his .
36 , the of people will ,
37 you will be , you will be .
38 of the him, , , we to a .
39 he , An a , will be to the of the .
40 just the of the , will the of the of the .
41The of will rise the , they the of , , something is .
42The of the will rise the , she the of the to the of , , something is .
43 the has of a , it , .
44 it , I will from I . when it , it the , , put in .
45 it than , they and , the of the . will it with .
46 was to the , , his , to to .
48 he to the man who , , ?
49 , he , are !
50 the of .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Jesus defends his disciples for plucking corn on the sabbath day. (1–8). Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the sabbath. (9–13). The malice of the Pharisees. (14–21). Jesus heals a demoniac. (22–30). Blasphemy of the Pharisees. (31, 32). Evil words proceed from an evil heart. (33–37). The scribes and Pharisees reproved for seeking a sign. (38–45). The disciples of Christ are his nearest relations. (46–50).
vv1-8
Being in the corn-fields, the disciples began to pluck the ears of corn: the law of God allowed it, De 23:25. This was slender provision for Christ and his disciples; but they were content with it. The Pharisees did not quarrel with them for taking another man's corn, but for doing it on the sabbath day. Christ came to free his followers, not only from the corruptions of the Pharisees, but from their unscriptural rules, and justified what they did. The greatest shall not have their lusts indulged, but the meanest shall have their wants considered. Those labours are lawful on the sabbath day which are necessary, and sabbath rest is to froward, not to hinder sabbath worship. Needful provision for health and food is to be made; but when servants are kept at home, and families become a scene of hurry and confusion on the Lord's day, to furnish a feast for visitors, or for indulgence, the case is very different. Such things as these, and many others common among professors, are to be blamed. The resting on the sabbath was ordained for man's good, De 5:14. No law must be understood so as to contradict its own end. And as Christ is the Lord of the sabbath, it is fit the day and the work of it should be dedicated to him.
vv9-13
Christ shows that works of mercy are lawful and proper to be done on the Lord's day. There are more ways of doing well upon sabbath days, than by the duties of worship: attending the sick, relieving the poor, helping those who need speedy relief, teaching the young to care for their souls; these are doing good: and these must be done from love and charity, with humility and self-denial, and shall be accepted, Ge 4:7. This, like other cures which Christ wrought, had a spiritual meaning. By nature our hands are withered, and we are unable of ourselves to do any thing that is good. Christ only, by the power of his grace, cures us; he heals the withered hand by putting life into the dead soul, works in us both to will and to do: for, with the command, there is a promise of grace given by the word.
vv14-21
The Pharisees took counsel to find some accusation, that Jesus might be condemned to death. Aware of their design, as his time was not come, he retired from that place. Face does not more exactly answer to face in water, than the character of Christ drawn by the prophet, to his temper and conduct as described by the evangelists. Let us with cheerful confidence commit our souls to so kind and faithful a Friend. Far from breaking, he will strengthen the bruised reed; far from quenching the smoking flax, or wick nearly out, he will rather blow it up into a flame. Let us lay aside contentious and angry debates; let us receive one another as Christ receives us. And while encouraged by the gracious kindness of our Lord, we should pray that his Spirit may rest upon us, and make us able to copy his example.
Key Words
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos): that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καιρός (kairós): an occasion, i.e. set or proper time
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
πορεύομαι (poreúomai): to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.);
διά (diá): through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
σπόριμος (spórimos): sown, i.e. (neuter plural) a planted field
σάββατον (sábbaton): the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
πεινάω (peináō): "pine"); to famish (absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave
Cross References
Matthew 12David eating the consecrated shewbread when in need justifies Christ's disciples plucking corn on the Sabbath.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew explicitly cites this passage as fulfilled in Jesus' quiet, merciful, and non-contentious messianic ministry.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The precise type of Jonah's three days in the fish foreshadows Christ's burial and resurrection.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The Mosaic law explicitly permitted plucking standing corn by hand, proving the disciples' act wasn't theft.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The Levitical law regulating the preparation and consumption of the sacred shewbread exclusively by the priests.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The prescription of double offerings on the Sabbath, illustrating the priests' required temple work.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Luke's parallel replaces 'Spirit of God' with 'finger of God', confirming the arrival of God's kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel account of the Queen of the South rising in judgment against this generation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The historical account of the Queen of Sheba seeking Solomon's wisdom, contrasting with Pharisaic rejection.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus references Sabbath circumcision to prove certain ritual laws yield to higher divine commands.
Supported by JFB
Jesus uses a similar Sabbath argument regarding rescuing an ox or donkey fallen into a pit.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel teaching that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart's treasure.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallel discourse regarding the return of an unclean spirit to an empty, swept house.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel account of Jesus defining his true spiritual family as those who do God's will.
Supported by Matthew Henry